The Peter Kiewit Institute

Team Leader
Eric Robinson

Mentors
Randy Fhel, The Schemmer Associates
Patrick Prososki, Union Pacific

Project: Somoquit Park

Our project is to develop an unutilized property in eastern Council Bluffs. Project will consist of a multi use recreational facility focused towards youth.

   

Team Leader
Janelle Schuler

Mentors
Tony Zablocki, Plastics Professional
Keith Stork, Henningsen Construction

Project: The Herring High Rise

Our plan is to locate an existing building in downtown Atlantic and renovate it into a loft area which would create additional housing for area residents. The downtown revitalization has been an ongoing community project for several years. We believe this project would renew interest in the downtown area.

   

Team Leader
Nicole Menard

Mentors
Mary Roth, US Army Corps of Engineers
Rose Hargrave, US Army Corps of Engineers

Project: The Jungle: Adventures in Teen Recreation

In today’s society, the youth of Bellevue lack wholesome activities that allow them to use their creativity for enjoyment and interaction with their peers in a safe, positive environment. To solve this problem, the Bellevue West Engineering Club plans to design and create an activity center geared towards teenagers. To achieve this vision we will design and/or renovate a building that addresses teen interests such as, but not limited to, the arts, recreation, and academics.

 

Team Leader
Dee Hoge

Mentors
Wally Stern, Retired U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Thomas Bentley, BCDM Architecture

Project: Bennington Park Connector Trail & Bridge

Our project is the preliminary design of a biking and walking trail to connect the Bennington Park residential area to the planned Bennington Trail. The Bennington Trail will connect the current Bennington Elementary and High School building to the new Bennington Junior-Senior High School located one mile west of the current building. Our connector trail would provide a shorter route to the Junior-Senior High School for students living in the western sections of Bennington. This trail would include a bridge over the Big Papio Creek providing easy access to the city's recreation areas as well as the Bennington Trail linking the two schools and the Bennington Lake Trail that surrounds the Newport Landing development.

   

Team Leader
Steve Hamersky

Mentors
Gary Krupa, VA Nebraska
Jeff McClenathan, US Army Corps of Engineers

Project: Youth Empowerment Center & BMX Track Facilities

Inner city youth are being incarcerated at an alarming rate, becoming an epidemic to cities such as Omaha. An ingenious method for rehabilitating these individuals through moral values and business entrepreneurship training has been cultivated by Mr. Albert Willis of Inner City Resources Development, Inc. To bring this potential solution to fruition, the Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School Engineering Team will redesign a former grocery store building to become a youth empowerment center and plan a bicycle race track facility that the participants of the program will run as part of their training.

   

Team Leader
Mrs. Natasha Oakman
Dr. Robert Wolff

Mentors
Christopher Wiehl, US Army Corps of Engineers
Mike Conzett, HDR, Inc.

Project: Siena Francis House Day Center

There is a need in Omaha for a daytime facility for the homeless. The team examined the existing conditions at the Siena Francis House and determined space requirements do not allow for daytime usage of the house. However, space is available for a daytime facility on existing property. Our project centers on designing this space.

   

Team Leader
Andy Fedoris

Mentors
Gary Sasse, JEO Consulting Firm
Elden Plettner, NPPD

Project: Facility Plan Study for Proposed New Lourdes Central Catholic High School

Our study is based on a perceived need for a new high school building for Lourdes Central Catholic Schools. This study will answer questions concerning increasing school population along with limited facilities and resources. We will try to address these needs for space, teachers, and additional accommodations to handle such an increase. Also included will be a study of cost analysis and finances to build and maintain a school of this size. The following committees have been formed to research the aforementioned problem: facility needs historical population and trends, location, and finance. We are currently in the data collection phase of the project.

   

Team Leader
Mrs. Kathi Smith

Mentors
Anne Peterson, HDR, Inc.
Amanda Bogner, Leo A. Daly

Project: It's Not Easy Being A Green House

Imagine a home with a low cost, no interest and built with quality materials that will eventually pay for themselves. This is Marian's 2004-05 S.A.M.E. team's project, a Habitat for Humanity home that will better the lives of the inhabitant as well as the community. A green house is an environmentally friendly one. The team decided that looking to the future was the best way to improve the present.

   

Team Leader
Rick Baker

Mentors
Bob Selders, Retired U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Chris Stolzer, Kiewit Construction

Project: Millard West Renovation

Due to the continuous growth of the student body, the current Millard West building is no longer able to serve the needs of the students and the faculty efficiently. Therefore, the school is considering the need for additions. The Millard West Engineering Club took up the responsibility of designing the possible additions. The renovation will involve additional classroom spaces along with additional storage for almost all the departments. We will be using a combination of teacher suggestions and department needs to design the new floor plans for the school.

   

Team Leader
Marilynn Theis

Mentors
Mark Butler, HDR, Inc.
Mark Montz, Hewlett Packard

Project: A Plan for the Revitalization and Upgrading of the Mount Michael Engineering Lab

Our goal is to transform our outdated and obsolete drafting room into a high tech, 21st century classroom. The project will consist of renovating the existing room as well as upgrading the obsolete computer systems.

   

Team Leader
Dr. Lee Kallstrom

Mentors
John Armkennect, Stanely J. Howe
Kory Kyllo, Kiewit Construction
Joe Hazel, Farris Engineering

Project: Taming the Wild: Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo Administration Building

     

Team Leader
Lee Kallstrom

Mentors
Nick Schulz, DLR Group
Jeff Patry, The Schemmer Associates

Project: The Gene Haynes Engineering Addition

We are designing a two-story addition to North High School. It will be constructed over an existing parking lot. A major aspect of the project will be natural lighting for the facility. The addition will house the engineering programs on one level, and biotechnology and physics on the second level.

   

Team Leader
Mr. Weaver

Mentors
Scott Gatewood, DLR Group
Johnette Shockley, US Army Corps of Engineers
Steven Ernst, US Army Corps of Engineers

Project: Military vehicle mine/explosive detector design

We will create a design of an explosive detection device that could be placed on the exterior portions of the military Humvee or other military vehicles. This has direct uses in areas of the world in which U.S. troops are involved, for example Iraq. Troops are continuously put into danger when performing their duties, therefore, with this device troops will be able to distinguish an explosive device in the road, which in turn will save lives.

   

Team Leader
M. Schnitzler
B. Howard
K. Kleinsasser

Mentors
Al Tarrell, Unisys Corporation
Ryan Huff, HWS Consulting Group
Janet Rodreguez, CH2M Hill

Project: Space!

The increasing student population at V.J and Angela Skutt Catholic High School is causing serious problems in the hallways and classrooms. Some teachers do not have a classroom, hallways are overly crowded during passing periods, and many students have to share lockers. In response, we are developing a plan to solve these problems, and improve the overall experience of attending Skutt Catholic High School.

     

Team Leader
Dr. Albert Hudek

Mentors
Mr. John Jorgensen, HGM Associates Inc.
Mr. Aaron Bresette, HGM Associates Inc.

Project: West Broadway Revitalization - 2800 Block

The old Jubilee Shopping center at 2801 West Broadway in Council Bluffs has been vacant for several years. We plan to renovate the south side of the 28th street block, including the adjoining Auto Zone. We intend to help the Broadway Beautification project by adding an attractive commercial development, including a dining establishment and retail hub. We hope that with these additions to the 2800 Block will open doors to more commercial redevelopment on West Broadway.

 

Team Leader
Gregg Ratliff

Mentors
Brian Wieseler, Leo A. Daly
Richard A Davis, US Army Corps of Engineers

Project: High School Traffic Study

There is significant tension created by the flow of students through the central hallway of Westside High School especially during passing periods. Traffic is an issue on all levels and from all main hallways that empty into this space. Our project is to research and propose a method of removing the tension from the movement of people through this central hallway space. We believe that the probable solutions may be to reroute some traffic, redefine short cuts, create different locations for socializing, and redefine the schedule of students moving into the central hallway.

   

Team Leader
Chad Zimmerman

Mentors
Ola Banwo, Leo A. Daly
Maher Tadros, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Nebraska Omaha

Project: Seat Lift

Elderly people face many challenges each day. One of these challenges is getting in and out of cars. We will try and overcome this challenge by creating a chair that rotates and pivots in and out.

   

Team Leader
Mr. Chad Zimmerman

Mentors
Mrs. Joy Willoughby, Leo A. Daly
Mr. Tim Willoughby, HDR, Inc.

Project: Pedestrian Overpass

The intersection of 87th Ave. and Pacific Street is a very traffic congested area. Since Westside High School and Countryside Village are located directly next to this area on opposite sides of Pacific Street, students are constantly crossing Pacific. They cross because students’ cars are parked behind Countryside Village. Also, parents pick up students at Countryside because it less congested than at the High School. Many people, not just students, also cross Pacific Street to Countryside Village to go to the many shops located there. Our team proposes to design a pedestrian overpass over Pacific Street between Westside High School and Countryside Village. This would ensure the safety of any pedestrians crossing the street. Drivers always have to be cautious around this area. There are many problems with this intersection. Currently there are traffic lights located here, but we believe that people do not take the time to wait for the light to change when crossing. They simply cross the street whenever they want. There are also two T-intersections, one at 87th Avenue and another at 87th Street, as well as the main entrance and exit to Countryside Village that slows down traffic and creates congestion. With students also crossing at this area, it can become a very dangerous situation. Our proposal would benefit drivers because with all the traffic in the first place, they would be less concerned about hitting someone who crosses the street without looking both ways.